But Sharpe insists there is no need for panic, as the former Red Devils star has no doubts that Van Gaal will transform the club’s fortunes over time.

“It was a bad night obviously [against MK Dons] but in the bigger picture it’s not too bad,” said Sharpe, speaking on The Sports Bar.

"It is going to take time. We had Alex Ferguson leaving, then David Moyes coming in and trying to play the way he does, and now Van Gaal.

“He has only been there five or six weeks so it’s too early to judge him. A little bit of patience is needed. It is a long-term approach for Van Gaal and I think you have got to trust him.

“He is the right man for the job. He is a strong character, he is not intimidated by big-name players, big signings, the size of the club and the task of the job at hand. I don’t think he is intimated at all, I think he quite enjoys it.

“It is just going to take a bit of time to get the team he wants and get them to play the way he wants them to play and to produce the standards he sets.

"I don' think they are a million miles away. They have just not started as everybody thought they would do."